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COMMON PEOPLE #13

LEA FERNANDEZ, WOMBARRA NSW

A daydreaming artist from the historic city of Avignon France has made her way to our shores settling for the slow life of Wombarra. Lea Fernandez is known for her line drawings of distinct feminine figures that depict strength and grace. An endearing paradox that speaks loudly through Lea’s work and her urge as a woman to detach from the typical titles and expectations of society.

WORDS BY LEA FERNANDEZ - IMAGES BY ANNA HEYLIGERS

COMMON PEOPLE #13

LEA FERNANDEZ, WOMBARRA NSW

A daydreaming artist from the historic city of Avignon France has made her way to our shores settling for the slow life of Wombarra. Lea Fernandez is known for her line drawings of distinct feminine figures that depict strength and grace. An endearing paradox that speaks loudly through Lea’s work and her urge as a woman to detach from the typical titles and expectations of society.

WORDS BY LEA FERNANDEZ - IMAGES BY ANNA HEYLIGERS

FOR OUR AUDIENCE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF

A day dreamer who believes in the power of manifestation and in the possible realisation of one’s own desire. In other words, a young creative with architecture and interior design training, a passion for nature and loving energies.

YOU GREW UP IN AVIGNON, SOUTH OF FRANCE, WE'D LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU'VE BUILT A LIFE HERE ON OUR SOUTH COAST?

Yes, I grew up in the little city that is Avignon, with my French mother. For anyone who doesn't know Avignon, it is an old beautiful walled papal city with a castle in its centre. The popes lived there in the 14th Century and it became part of France in 1791.

I then moved to Australia when I was 16. My Dad is Australian and I had never lived with him before. I made this crazy teenager decision to change my whole world and move countries. I didn't really speak English either but I went to a French school which made the move easier. Anyway, fast forward a couple of years - I'm working full time in Sydney CBD and having grown up in a small city, I felt like I need to re-immerse myself in nature. Moving down here allowed me to have space to enjoy the little pleasures and natural beauty of life. I don't feel rushed and my weekends on the South Coast allow me to experience a reality that I can better relate to.

WHAT BEGAN YOUR LOVE AND CONNECTION TO CRAFT?

You know, I have heard before that being bored or having idle time allows creativity to flow. Crafting, creating when I was a kid was a way to enter into alternate realities or to communicate daydreams. I felt calm and inspired whenever I'd cut up a magazine, create a collage, write or draw.

FOR OUR AUDIENCE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF

A day dreamer who believes in the power of manifestation and in the possible realisation of one’s own desire. In other words, a young creative with architecture and interior design training, a passion for nature and loving energies.

YOU GREW UP IN AVIGNON, SOUTH OF FRANCE, WE'D LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU'VE BUILT A LIFE HERE ON OUR SOUTH COAST?

Yes, I grew up in the little city that is Avignon, with my French mother. For anyone who doesn't know Avignon, it is an old beautiful walled papal city with a castle in its centre. The popes lived there in the 14th Century and it became part of France in 1791.

I then moved to Australia when I was 16. My Dad is Australian and I had never lived with him before. I made this crazy teenager decision to change my whole world and move countries. I didn't really speak English either but I went to a French school which made the move easier. Anyway, fast forward a couple of years - I'm working full time in Sydney CBD and having grown up in a small city, I felt like I need to re-immerse myself in nature. Moving down here allowed me to have space to enjoy the little pleasures and natural beauty of life. I don't feel rushed and my weekends on the South Coast allow me to experience a reality that I can better relate to.

WHAT BEGAN YOUR LOVE AND CONNECTION TO CRAFT?

You know, I have heard before that being bored or having idle time allows creativity to flow. Crafting, creating when I was a kid was a way to enter into alternate realities or to communicate daydreams. I felt calm and inspired whenever I'd cut up a magazine, create a collage, write or draw.

“You know, I have heard before that being bored or having idle time allows creativity to flow. Crafting, creating when I was a kid was a way to enter into alternate realities or to communicate daydreams. I felt calm and inspired whenever I’d cut up a magazine, create a collage, write or draw.“

“There is also an urge as a woman to detach from the typical titles and expectations of society. My heart hurts knowing that many women struggle with embracing their self wholly and feel the need to bend in different directions in order to appease certain expectations. These drawings personally allow me to embody and delve into my identity, be them feminine, masculine or the encompassing duality.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ART, WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE SUCH BEAUTIFUL FEMININE FIGURES?

Subjects such as bodies, life and love have never been taboo in my life. It has always been treated as natural and beautiful. Regarding the feminine figures, the feminine is so delicate and incredibly strong at the same time. It is an endearing paradox which I love to transcribe through lines. The essence and energy of the subjects leads me in different directions which I can’t predict.

There is also an urge as a woman to detach from the typical titles and expectations of society. My heart hurts knowing that many women struggle with embracing their self wholly and feel the need to bend in different directions in order to appease certain expectations. These drawings personally allow me to embody and delve into my identity, be them feminine, masculine or the encompassing duality.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR HOME AND WHERE YOU LIVE?

Oh the house we live in. It is an old brick house which was recently renovated. Part of the renovation was the addition of thick timber frames so every window opening frames the ocean view with dark timber. I also love that the rooms are spacious, and saturated with light. Kaila (my housemate and amazing friend) will laugh at me when I say this, but my favourite part of the house is the front door which is made out of thick timber that pivots and creates a soothing whooshing sound. We have furnished it slowly, collecting pastel coloured second hand furniture, and hung a lot of colourful art. We feel really relaxed, comfortable and happy in it. Also the quiet down here pervades everything and instills a peaceful quality to all my endeavours.

DO YOU HAVE ANY DAILY RITUALS YOU FOLLOW?

Through the ebbs and flows of life I have been able to identify the rituals which keep me balanced and content. I meditate regularly, paint, draw, write, communicate with my amazing friends, and laugh a lot. I don’t have a daily timed ritual per se; I just make sure that I apply some of the above every day. Also, lending one’s time to assist others is an amazing thing to do for your soul and for the person’s you are helping.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ART, WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE SUCH BEAUTIFUL FEMININE FIGURES?

Subjects such as bodies, life and love have never been taboo in my life. It has always been treated as natural and beautiful. Regarding the feminine figures, the feminine is so delicate and incredibly strong at the same time. It is an endearing paradox which I love to transcribe through lines. The essence and energy of the subjects leads me in different directions which I can’t predict.

There is also an urge as a woman to detach from the typical titles and expectations of society. My heart hurts knowing that many women struggle with embracing their self wholly and feel the need to bend in different directions in order to appease certain expectations. These drawings personally allow me to embody and delve into my identity, be them feminine, masculine or the encompassing duality.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR HOME AND WHERE YOU LIVE?

Oh the house we live in. It is an old brick house which was recently renovated. Part of the renovation was the addition of thick timber frames so every window opening frames the ocean view with dark timber. I also love that the rooms are spacious, and saturated with light. Kaila (my housemate and amazing friend) will laugh at me when I say this, but my favourite part of the house is the front door which is made out of thick timber that pivots and creates a soothing whooshing sound. We have furnished it slowly, collecting pastel coloured second hand furniture, and hung a lot of colourful art. We feel really relaxed, comfortable and happy in it. Also the quiet down here pervades everything and instills a peaceful quality to all my endeavours.

DO YOU HAVE ANY DAILY RITUALS YOU FOLLOW?

Through the ebbs and flows of life I have been able to identify the rituals which keep me balanced and content. I meditate regularly, paint, draw, write, communicate with my amazing friends, and laugh a lot. I don’t have a daily timed ritual per se; I just make sure that I apply some of the above every day. Also, lending one’s time to assist others is an amazing thing to do for your soul and for the person’s you are helping.

“There is also an urge as a woman to detach from the typical titles and expectations of society. My heart hurts knowing that many women struggle with embracing their self wholly and feel the need to bend in different directions in order to appease certain expectations. These drawings personally allow me to embody and delve into my identity, be them feminine, masculine or the encompassing duality.”

“You know, I have heard before that being bored or having idle time allows creativity to flow. Crafting, creating when I was a kid was a way to enter into alternate realities or to communicate daydreams. I felt calm and inspired whenever I’d cut up a magazine, create a collage, write or draw.“

WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR ART?

I would like to keep exploring and as with every exploration, the only certain thing for the future is that it is uncertain. I would like to keep flowing in directions which intuitively feel right. No constraints.

I would like to keep exploring and as with every exploration, the only certain thing for the future is that it is uncertain. I would like to keep flowing in directions which intuitively feel right. No constraints.

Raised on a fourth generation grazier property in central NSW to now the picturesque escarpment of Austinmer, and a few places in between Elise Idiens brings her rural life to the city through expression made in her photography and creative writing. Elise’s extensive career as a hairdresser and passion for rural Australia has led her through a journey using these mediums determined to make Australian’s know their Australia better.

Raised on a fourth generation grazier property in central NSW to now the picturesque escarpment of Austinmer and a few places in between Elise Idiens brings her rural life to the city through expression made through her photography and creative writing.